Montjeu, who suffered a rare reverse in the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp less than a fortnight ago, goes on an all-important retrieving mission at Newmarket tomorrow.

The brilliant French colt joins the castlist on a star-studded afternoon of racing at headquarters by taking his place in the £400,000 Dubai Champion Stakes with regular jockey Michael Kinane in the saddle.

The ante-post favourite, Montjeu is surely worthy of his position at the head of the market despite his below-par effort in the Arc, which he had won so memorably a year earlier.

A combination of fast ground and a failure to find the necessary 'cover' he needs early in a race this time counted against him at Longchamp where he finished fourth to the dual-Derby winner Sinndar.

Tomorrow, on a much softer surface, which suits him perfectly, and over a two-furlong shorter distance, I expect Montjeu to recapture the dazzling form which has made him the most formidable middle-distance horse in Europe.

Sir Michal Stoute and Henry Cecil, to name only two of the major home-based trainers, are clearly determined not to allow Montjeu to have his own way.

Sir Michael saddles the multi-talented Greek Dance and Kalanisi, while Cecil will be represented by mudlover Shiva, runner-up in this race last year, and Love Divine, the Oaks winner and the chosen mount of stable-jockey Richard Quinn.

With 15 declared runners in the Champion Stakes, the biggest field since Palace Music won in 1984, a crackerjack of a race is in store.

All eyes will be on Montjeu as he bids to redeem his slightly tarnished reputation before he is retired to a potentially glittering stallion career.

Aidan O'Brien saddles four of the 11 runners in the £200,000 Darley Dewhurst Stakes, including the unbeaten pair Mozart and Minardi, already a dual-Group 1 winner.

There could well be a successful home defence of the crowd via Mick Channon's Tobougg, who started his exciting career with a smooth win at York at the end of August.

Tobougg has since won the Group 1 Prix de la Salamandre at Longchamp last month in the style of a top-notch juvenile. He looks capable of repelling anything the O'Brien star can throw at him.

In the Tote Cesarewitch Handicap over two and a quarter miles, those seeking a good-value proposition outside the leading fancies should look no further than Prairie Falcon.

A convincing winner at Chester last time, Prairie Falcon is from the Barry Hills stable and, at around 12-1, makes considerable appeal to win this stamina-sapping marathon. He is awarded the Nap vote.

Watch out too for Churish Charm in the Jockey Club Cup, and the hat-trick seeking Lilium in the Owen Brown Rockfel Stakes.

Top tips: Newmarket: 1.40 Churlish Charm; 2.15 Warningford; 2.55 Prairie Falcon (Nap); 3.30 Tobougg; 4.10 Montjeu; 4.45 Lilium; 5.20 Lady Boxer.

Market Rasen: 1.50 Tender Touch; 2.20 Tashreef; 2.50 Prancing Blade; 3.20 Flat Top; 3.55 Roman Rampage; 4.30 Cromwell; 5.05 No Chance.